This study is an inquiry into the portrayal of fraud and the youth 111 local films . The study isrnintended at understanding the socio-economic outlooks of the youth on economic gains. Thus,rnthe researcher collected a number of Amharic films issuing fraud, and picked one for in depthrnana lysis. The researcher empl oyed semiotic analys is to analyze the film. The analysis hasrninvo lved a range of variables which can help extract socio-econom ic outlooks from the selectedrnfilm.rnIn the interpretation, the study has tried to examine the analyzed data for underlying meanings inrntheir socio-economic contexts. It approached the issue from certain theoretical frame works butrnfrolll differnt angles putting the multi-dimensional nature of the issue into consideration . Inrndo ing so, the study has tried to address the social critics on the present economic conditions ofrnthe country, local and global economic influences that drive the youth into acts of fraud andrnsociety's role in tackling it.rnAs a result, the study has come up with some perceived rea lities of local and global economicrneffects wh ich initiate young peo ple to look for the shortest but di shonest path to escape poverty.rnMoreover, the study was ab le to explore the ethical dilemma people encounter in a society whichrnis in dynamic economic reform. Itrevea ls that the poor young people are in a constant clash withrnsocietal values. The researcher believes that these findings to add to the understanding of the wayrncontemporary local films portray soc io-economic realities.